Portable folding chair

ABSTRACT

A portable folding chair features a seat and a back that are joined in a hinged or pivoting fashion. A pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs are pivotally attached to the bottom of the seat. A track featuring elongated slots is also attached to the bottom of the seat. Front and rear leg braces are pivotally attached to the front and rear legs, respectively. The leg braces slide within the elongated slots of the track. The track is equipped with locking mechanisms so that the leg braces may be locked in the track with the legs in the open position. The back of the chair is equipped with a tab portion that forms a handle and extends down below the seat and engages a pair of angle bars that are included in the rear leg brace so that the back of the chair is secured in an open position. The legs may be folded against the bottom of the seat and the back rotated so that the legs and track are enclosed between the seat and back in a clamshell fashion. The closed chair may then be conveniently carried by the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to folding chairs and,more particularly, to a chair that may be folded into a portableconfiguration that is easily stored and carried.

[0002] Foldable chairs for intermittent use in homes and apartments arepopular and necessary as they meet the need for adequate comfortableseating when the dwelling is occupied by more than the usual number ofpeople, and are easily stowed away in a closet or other hidden area whennot required. Also, individuals engaging in leisure activities, such asconcerts festivals, camping, fishing or the like, frequently desireseating in settings remote from localities where traditional chairs areavailable. Though often sitting on the ground or sidewalk on blankets orpillows, such individuals often desire to sit on chairs for addedcomfort. As a result, the prior art is filled with folding chairs havinga variety of designs.

[0003] One of the most common types of folding chairs, often called a“lawn chair” or a “beach chair,” features a framework formed fromaluminum tubing that is pivotally connected so as to fold and unfoldbetween transport/storage and use configurations. Rectangular pieces orstrips of fabric that form the seat and back of the chair are riveted orotherwise secured to the aluminum tubing framework. Variations whereother types of framework members are substituted for the aluminumtubing, such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 417,561 to Liu, alsoexist. Such chairs often feature armrests which are typically astructural necessity and desired by most people for comfort. Someindividuals, particularly those of large girth, however, may find thearmrests constraining so that the chair is difficult to sit in and getin or out of.

[0004] While designs for folding chairs featuring a fabric and frameworkconstruction without armrests do exist, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.6,106,056 to Wegner, such chairs still suffer from other disadvantagesdue to the inclusion of fabric in their construction. Thesedisadvantages include wear or tearing of the fabric seat and/or backrequiring that the chair either be repaired or discarded. In addition,the fabric back and/or seat of the chair may not provide the occupantwith sufficient support. As a result, the chair may be uncomfortable.

[0005] As an alternative to chairs featuring a fabric and frameworkconstruction, several designs exist for folding chairs having a rigidseat and back. Examples of such chairs are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.6,099,073 to Bruschi and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 461,968 to Adams et al. Aswith the chairs described above, such chairs fold and unfold betweentransport/storage and use configurations.

[0006] A problem shared by all the above prior art chairs, however, isthe bulk or thickness of the chair in the folded transport or storageposition. More specifically, the chairs may have seats which foldadjacent to or abutting the legs and/or have front and back legs whichfold against one another such that the thickness of the folded chairequals the combined thickness of both the front and rear legs, and/orthe thickness of the legs and the seat. In addition, the lengths orheights of the folded chairs make them unwieldy and limits storageoptions. Carrying of the chairs is further complicated in that theytypically lack a handle for gripping. Furthermore, folding such chairscan be an awkward exercise.

[0007] Prior art designs which combine a folding chair with a carry casedo exist. An early example may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,231,386 toKuczabowski wherein a rigid seat back is fastened by a hinge to a rigid,box-like seat portion. Legs formed from wire and armrests are attachedin a pivoting fashion to the bottom of the seat portion and the sides ofthe seat back, respectively. The seat back, armrests and legs fold so asto lay against the box-like seat portion. The folded chair may then becarried by a handle secured to the side of the seat portion. Whilesomewhat more compact than the above chairs, the chair of theKuczabowski '386 patent would still be quite thick and could easilyunfold. In addition, the folded chair features a number of protrusionswhich could catch on clothes or other objects as the chair is carried.This could cause both damage to the chair and clothing or other propertydamage.

[0008] Another early folding chair and carry case design is illustratedin U.S. Pat. No. 1,493,467 to Butt et al. The Butt et al. '467 patentshows a folding chair featuring a rigid seat with legs formed frommetallic tubing attached in a hinged-fashion to the bottom. A backrest,having a framework also constructed from metallic tubing, is attached ina hinged fashion to the top of the seat. When the chair is in theunfolded, use configuration, a fabric covering featuring a pocket ispositioned over the framework to complete the backrest. The legs of thechair pivot so that they lay against the bottom of the rigid seat andthe framework of the seatback folds down to rest on top of the rigidseat. Prior to folding the backrest framework, the fabric covering isremoved therefrom and folded to form a fabric carrying bag. The foldedchair may then be slid into the fabric carrying bag which featureshandles for carrying. While this arrangement is compact, the fabriccarry bag may suffer from wear rather quickly and require replacement.In addition, it is somewhat difficult to fold the fabric carry bag andinsert the folded chair.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,716 to Caicedo illustrates a combinationbackpack and folding chair. The chair features seat and seatbackportions, each constructed from an aluminum tubing framework to whichfabric is attached. The rear of the seat portion framework is joined tothe bottom of the seatback portion framework in a hinged fashion so thatthe seat portion may be pivoted 270° from a use position to a foldedposition. A fabric backpack is attached to the back of the seatbackportion so that it is sandwiched between the fabric of the seat andseatback portions when the chair is in the folded configuration. Thefolded chair and backpack may be carried upon the back of an individual.While quite compact and useful for hiking, the chair of the Caicedo doesnot feature full-sized legs so that the occupant has to sit very closeto the ground with his or her legs extended or knees raised. Inaddition, due to the fabric and framework construction, the chairsuffers from the wear considerations described above.

[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea portable folding chair that is durable, stable and comfortable.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide aportable folding chair that is lightweight, compact and easy to storeand carry.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a chairthat is relatively free of protrusions and attractive when in the foldedconfiguration.

[0013] It is still another object of the present invention to provide aportable chair that is easy to fold and unfold.

[0014] It is still another object of the present invention to provide achair that is cost effective to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention is directed to a portable folding chairhaving a seat and a back that are joined in a pivoting fashion. A pairof front legs are pivotally attached to the bottom of the seat near itsfront edge and a pair of rear legs are pivotally attached to the seatbottom near its rear edge. The chair may be unfolded into an openconfiguration so that an individual may sit thereon. The chair may alsobe folded into a closed configuration where the front and rear legs ofthe chair are pivoted so as to lay adjacent to the seat bottom and theback is pivoted so as to be positioned adjacent to the legs so that thelegs are enclosed between the bottom of the seat and the back. As such,the seat and back of the chair join together to form a clamshell withthe legs inside.

[0016] A U-shaped front leg brace is pivotally attached between thefront legs and a U-shaped rear leg brace is pivotally attached betweenthe rear legs. A track is attached to the bottom of the seat and has apair of runners with elongated slots formed therein that receive thefront and rear leg braces in a sliding fashion. A leaf spring is mountedbetween the track and the bottom of the seat. A front locking device ispositioned adjacent to the front edge of the elongated slot and a rearlocking device positioned adjacent to the rear edge of the elongatedslot. The locking devices are mounted on opposite ends of the leafspring and each includes release levers as well as a pair of lockingwedges. The spring urges the locking wedges away from the seat bottom sothat front and rear leg braces are secured between the locking wedgesand the front and rear edges of the elongated slots, respectively. Thelocking wedges release the leg braces when the release levers of thelocking devices are pressed towards the seat bottom.

[0017] The chair back includes a tab portion that pivots to a positionbeneath the seat bottom so that it is engaged by the angle bars when thechair is in the open configuration. As a result, the back of the chairis restrained from rotating towards the seat bottom. The tab portionincludes an opening which may be gripped by an individual so that ahandle is formed by which the chair may be carried when folded into theclosed configuration.

[0018] The following detailed description of embodiments of theinvention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims andaccompanying drawings, provide a more complete understanding of thenature and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a top rear perspective view of an embodiment of theportable folding chair of the present invention in the unfolded or openconfiguration;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear locking deviceof the chair of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0022]FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the engaging angle barsand tab portion of the back of the chair of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0023] FIGS. 5A-5C are top plan, side elevation and bottom plan views,respectively, of the chair of FIG. 1 in the folded or closedconfiguration;

[0024] FIGS. 6A-6E are perspective views of the chair of FIGS. 1-5Cillustrating the opening or unfolding of the chair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] An embodiment of the portable folding chair of the presentinvention is indicated in general at 10 in FIG. 1. The chair features aseat 12 and a back 14. The seat and back preferably are formed frommolded plastic for strength and durability. Alternative materials, suchas wood, could be used to form the seat and/or back instead. The seat issupported upon a surface by a pair of front legs 16 a and 16 b and apair of rear legs 18 a and 18 b. The legs preferably are constructed ofmetallic tubing such as, for example, steel or aluminum and, asillustrated in FIG. 2, are mounted to the bottom 22 of the seat 12. Thebottom 22 of the seat 12 has a number of ribs 24 formed thereon toimprove the strength and rigidity of the seat.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 2, front legs 16 a and 16 b are connectedto the bottom of the seat in a hinged fashion. More specifically, legs16 a and 16 b are joined by their proximal portions 26 a and 26 b,respectively, by a cross member or joining portion (not shown), alsopreferably constructed of metallic tubing. Indeed, leg 16 a and 16 b andthe horizontal joining portion may be constructed from a single,continuous piece of metallic tubing featuring the appropriate bends. Acosmetic front panel 28 positioned adjacent to the front edge 32 of theseat cooperates with the bottom 22 of the seat to form a passage throughwhich the horizontal joining portion connected to legs 16 a and 16 bpasses. The passage is sized so that the joining portion may pivottherein.

[0027] The rear legs 18 a and 18 b are also joined by a horizontaljoining portion or cross member, indicated at 33 in FIG. 2. Thehorizontal joining portion 33 passes between cosmetic rear panels 35 aand 35 b and the bottom of the seat so that, similar to the front legs,the rear legs are secured to the chair in a pivoting fashion. Thecosmetic rear panels and rear horizontal joining portion are mountednear the rear edge of the seat, indicated at 37 in FIG. 1.

[0028] A track, indicated in general at 40 in FIGS. 2 and 3, has agenerally U-shaped cross section and is preferably constructed frommetal. The track features a horizontal base 42 from which verticalrunners 44 a and 44 b extend. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, each runner44 a and 44 b of the track 40 features an elongated slot, illustrated at45 a and 45 b.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom 22 of the seat 12 has anumber of bosses 47 molded thereon. The track 40 is secured by its base42 to the bottom 22 of the seat 12 with a number of screws that engagethe bosses, as illustrated with screw 46 and boss 47 in FIG. 2. A leafspring, indicated at 50 in FIG. 3, extends nearly the entire length oftrack 40 and is sandwiched between the track 40 and the bosses formed onthe bottom 22 of seat 12 so that there is spacing between the leafspring and the bottom of the seat. As will be explained below, the leafspring, which is preferably constructed from a strip of metal, is usedby the locking mechanisms that secure the chair legs in the open orunfolded configuration.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, both the front and rear legs areprovided with U-shaped front and rear leg braces indicated at 52 and 54,respectively. The front leg brace 52 is connected to the front legs neartheir proximal portions 26 a and 26 b in a pivoting fashion by fasteners56 a and 56 b, which preferably are rivets. The front leg brace 52 isalso received within the elongated slots formed in the runners 44 a and44 b of the track 40.

[0031] Similarly, the rear leg brace 54 is pivotally connected to theproximal portions of the rear legs, indicated at 58 a and 58 b,respectively, by fasteners 62 a and 62 b, which also preferably arerivets. Rear leg brace 54 also resides in the elongated slots of therunners 44 a and 44 b of track 40. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when thechair is in the open position, the rear leg brace 54 is positioned atthe rear edges 64 a and 64 b of the elongated slots 45 a and 45 b (FIG.3) while the front leg brace 52 is positioned at the front edges 66 aand 66 b of the elongated slots.

[0032] The rear leg brace is secured in the position illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, that is, with the chair in the open or unfoldedconfiguration, by the rear locking device indicated in general at 70 inFIG. 3. The rear locking device 70 is secured by fasteners 71 and 73 tothe rear end of the leaf spring 50 that is positioned between the base42 of track 40 and the bottom of the seat. The fasteners 71 and 73 maybe rivets, screws, bolts or some other type of fastener or fasteningmethod including soldering or welding. Alternatively, the leaf spring 50and rear locking device 70 may be integrally formed from a single pieceof material. The rear locking device includes release levers 72 a and 72b and a pair of vertically extending lock wedges 74 a and 74 b. The leafspring urges the rear locking device 70 towards the position illustratedin FIG. 3.

[0033] When the release levers 72 a and 72 b of rear locking device 70are pushed towards the bottom of the seat, the lock wedges 74 a and 74 bretract so that the rear leg brace 54 is free to travel within elongatedslots 45 a and 45 b of track 40 towards the front of edge of the chair(illustrated at 32 in FIG. 2). As a result, the rear legs may be foldedtowards the bottom of the chair in the direction indicated by arrow 78in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0034] A front locking device, indicated at 80 in FIG. 2, is amirror-image of the rear locking device 70 and is secured to the frontend of the leaf spring 50, that is, the end of the leaf spring oppositethe end upon which rear locking device 70 is positioned. Front lockingdevice 80 operates in the same fashion as rear locking device 70 so asto lock the front legs in the open or unfolded configuration illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2. When the release levers of the front locking deviceare pressed towards the bottom of the seat, the front leg brace 52 isfree to move in the elongated slots of the track towards the rear of thechair (37 in FIG. 1). As a result, the front legs fold towards thebottom of the chair in the direction of arrow 82 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the back 14 of the chairincludes a tab portion 84 having an opening 86 so that a handle isformed. As will be explained below, the opening provides a gripping areaso that the chair may be easily carried by an individual when the chairis in the folded or closed configuration. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2, the tab portion 84 of the back extends down slightly below the bottomof the seat 12 when the chair is in the open or unfolded configuration.The joining portion 33 of FIG. 2 that joins rear legs 18 a and 18 bpasses through the tab portion 84 of the back so that the chair back 14pivots with regard to the chair seat 12 about the rear horizontaljoining portion 33.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of L-shaped angle bars 88 a and 88 bare secured to the rear leg brace 54. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, theangle bars 88 a and 88 b engage the tab portion 84 of the back of thechair when the chair is in the open or unfolded configuration. As aresult, the back is supported/braced when an occupant leans against thechair back. It should be noted that, as opposed to the constructionillustrated in the figures, the angle bars 88 a and 88 b may instead beintegrally or continuously formed with the rear leg brace 54 so as totake on an appearance similar to that of a goal post, that is, theportions of the rear leg brace 54 between the ends of the angle bars 88a and 88 b could be eliminated.

[0037] The chair is folded or closed by folding the rear legs in thedirection of arrow 78 of FIGS. 1 and 2 after either release lever 72 aor 72 b (FIG. 3) of the rear locking device 70 is pressed. Similarly,the front legs are folded in the direction of arrow 82 in FIGS. 1 and 2after either release lever of front locking device 80 is pressed. As aresult, the front and rear legs lay flat against the bottom 22 of theseat 12, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. With the angle bars 88 a and 88 b ofFIGS. 2 and 4 moved away from the tab portion 84 of chair back 14, theback is free to be rotated approximately 265° from the open or unfoldedposition indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the direction of arrow 92 inFIGS. 1 and 2, to the closed or folded position illustrated in FIG. 5C.

[0038] As a result of folding the legs and back of the chair, the chairis in the closed or folded configuration illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C. Theseat 12 and back 14 of the chair thus form a clamshell arrangement withthe folding legs, track and locking mechanisms secured inside. The chairmay be secured in the closed configuration by a number of latchingarrangements including, but not limited to, a magnetic catch, VELCRO orinterference fitting components (such as dimples) molded into the chairback and seat.

[0039] As is clear from FIGS. 5A-5C, the chair in the folded or closedconfiguration has a compact size, a smooth and aesthetically pleasingappearance and may be conveniently carried in the same manner as abriefcase or other piece of luggage having a handle. This also permitsthe chair to be easily stored in small space such as, for example, thetrunk of a car or closet. The handle further allows the folded chair tobe stored in a hanging fashion. FIG. 5B illustrates the minimalthickness of the closed or folded chair. FIGS. 5A and 5B show the smoothshape of the seat 12, which makes the chair comfortable to sit in. FIG.5C illustrates how the cosmetic front panel 28 and the cosmetic rearpanels 35 a and 35 b enhance the smoothness of the exterior surface ofthe folded or closed chair and also illustrate how the front and rearlegs of the chair are enclosed and protected against damage by theclamshell formed by the chair seat and back.

[0040] As illustrated by FIG. 5B, the shape of the folded chair alsofacilitates stacking of multiple folding chairs when each are placed ina horizontal orientation and piled on top of one another. As a result,multiple chairs may be efficiently stored in a stacked configuration.Various dimples or other engagement features may optionally be molded orotherwise added to the exposed top and bottom surfaces of the foldedchair to further facilitate stacking.

[0041]FIGS. 6A through 6E illustrate how the chair is opened or unfoldedso as to be returned to the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.More specifically, the chair, initially in the position illustrated inFIG. 6A, is flipped or rotated 180° and the chair back 14 is lifted awayfrom the seat 12. The back is rotated approximately 265° to the positionillustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C. As a result, the bottom of the seat 12and the folded front and rear legs are exposed.

[0042] The rear legs 18 a and 18 b are next opened or unfolded untilthey arrive in the position illustrated in FIG. 6D. Due to the shape oflocking wedges 74 a and 74 b (FIG. 3) of the locking device, the rearleg brace 54 travels through the elongated slots of track 40 untillocking into the position illustrated in FIG. 3. In other words, therearward traveling leg brace forces the rear locking device 70 (FIG. 3)down as it travels over the locking wedges 74 a and 74 b. As illustratedin FIG. 6E, the front legs 16 a and 16 b are finally opened or unfoldeduntil being locking into such a position by the similar interactionbetween the front leg brace 52 and the front locking mechanism 80.

[0043] As a result, the chair of the present invention is easilyreconfigured between an open or unfolded configuration, where itaccommodates an occupant in a stable and comfortable fashion, and afolded or closed configuration where it presents a trim, compactappearance and may be easily carried and stored.

[0044] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shownand described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A folding chair comprising: a. a seat having a bottom; b. a back joined to the seat in a pivoting fashion; c. a pair of front legs pivotally attached to the bottom of the seat; d. a pair of rear legs pivotally attached to the bottom of the seat; whereby said chair may be placed in an open configuration so that an individual may sit thereon and folded into a closed configuration where the front and rear legs of the chair are pivoted so as to lay adjacent to the seat bottom and the back is pivoted so as to be positioned adjacent to the legs so that the legs are enclosed between the bottom of the seat and the back.
 2. The folding chair of claim 1 wherein the front legs are pivotally attached near the front edge of the seat and the rear legs are pivotally attached near the rear edge of the seat.
 3. The folding chair of claim 1 wherein the seat and back are formed from molded plastic.
 4. The folding chair of claim 3 wherein ribs are formed on the bottom of the seat.
 5. The folding chair of claim 1 wherein each of the front and rear legs are further secured to the bottom of the seat by leg braces.
 6. The folding chair of claim 5 wherein the leg braces include a front leg brace that is pivotally connected between the front legs and a rear leg brace that is pivotally connected between the rear legs.
 7. The folding chair of claim 6 further comprising a track attached to the bottom of the chair, said track having an elongated slot formed therein, said slot having a front edge and a rear edge and receiving the front and rear leg braces in a sliding fashion.
 8. The folding chair of claim 7 wherein said front and rear leg braces are U-shaped with a center portion of each positioned within the elongated slot of the track.
 9. The folding chair of claim 7 further comprising a front locking device positioned adjacent to the front edge of the elongated slot and a rear locking device positioned adjacent to the rear edge of the elongated slot, each of said locking devices including: i) a spring; ii) a release lever linked to the spring; iii) a locking wedge linked to the spring, said spring urging said locking wedge in a direction so that one of said leg braces is secured between the locking wedge and one of the edges of the elongated slot and said locking wedge releasing the leg brace when the release lever is moved against the resistance of the spring.
 10. The folding chair of claim 9 wherein the springs for the front and rear locking devices is a single leaf spring.
 11. The folding chair of claim 10 wherein the leaf spring is secured between the track and the bottom of the seat.
 12. The folding chair of claim 11 further comprising a boss molded on the bottom of the seat and wherein said track and leaf spring are secured to the bottom of the seat via the boss.
 13. The folding chair of claim 6 wherein the rear leg brace includes an angle bar and said back includes a tab portion that pivots to a position beneath the seat bottom, said tab portion engaging the angle bar when the chair is in the open configuration so that the back of the chair is restrained from rotating towards the seat bottom.
 14. The folding chair of claim 13 wherein the angle bar is L-shaped.
 15. The folding chair of claim 13 wherein the tab portion includes an opening so that a handle is formed which may be gripped by an individual so that the chair may be carried by the handle when folded into the closed configuration.
 16. The folding chair of claim 1 wherein proximal portions of the front legs are joined by a front cross member and proximal portions of the rear legs are joined by a rear cross member, said front and rear cross members secured to the bottom of the seat in a pivoting fashion.
 17. The folding chair of claim 16 further comprising front and rear cosmetic panels, said front cross member positioned between the front cosmetic panel and the bottom of the seat and said rear cross member positioned between the rear cosmetic panel and the bottom of the seat.
 18. The folding chair of claim 16 wherein the seat and back of the chair are pivotally connected by the rear joining portion.
 19. A folding chair comprising: a. a seat having a bottom; b. a back pivotally connected to the seat and movable through an angle of over 180° between an open position where the back forms an approximately 90° angle with the seat and a closed position where the back is generally parallel with and facing the bottom of the seat; and c. a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs, each of the legs pivotally mounted to the bottom of the seat so as to be foldable between an open position where they form an approximately 90° angle with the seat and a closed position where they lay between the seat and back when the back is in the closed position.
 20. The folding chair of claim 19 wherein said back includes a tab portion that pivots beneath the seat bottom when the back is in the open position and further comprising: a. a track having an elongated slot attached to the bottom of the seat; b. a rear leg brace joining the rear pair of legs together, said rear leg brace slidably received in the elongated slot of the track; c. an angle bar attached to the rear leg brace, said angle bar engaging the tab portion of the back when the pair of rear legs and back are in their open positions so that the back is prevented from rotating towards its closed position. 